The FBI has raided the home of United Auto Workers president Gary Jones amid the ongoing corruption investigation into the American worker’s union.
An NBC news helicopter captured footage of FBI officers walking in and out of Jones’ home during the raid Wednesday, along with several black cars and trucks parked on the road in front of the Canton, Michigan residence.
The raid sparked a quick response from the UAW, which released a statement saying the execution of the search warranty was not necessary, as the UAW has co-operated with investigators in their investigation thus far.
“President Jones is determined to uncover and address any and all wrongdoing, wherever it might lead,” the worker’s union said. “There was absolutely no need for search warrants to be used by the government today.”
Investigators also raided the California home of former union president Dennis Williams Wednesday, along with the home of one of his former aides and a UAW office in Michigan.
The Fiat Chrysler arm of the UAW was the original target of the FBI’s corruption investigation, with the bureau charging eight people for taking kickbacks in the way of cash, gifts, lavish dinners and other luxury items, costs for which were funnelled through the UAW-FCA training center. Just last week, General Motors UAW rep Michael Grimes was charged as part of the investigation as well, with prosecutors alleging he awarded lucrative UAW apparel contracts to his associates in exchange for payouts of varying amounts. The investigation into the union has been ongoing for five years.
The UAW corruption scandal is expanding in scope just as the union is set to head to the bargaining table with the Detroit Big Three. In a statement released after Grimes’ arrest earlier this month, the union said it was dedicated to implementing a new culture going forward.
“We are committed to continue putting in place more strong, enforceable reforms and more stringent financial controls throughout the Union,” the union stated.
UAW workers are currently voting on whether or not to approve a strike during the negotiations should it be necessary, with the results of the vote expected to be revealed this weekend.
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Source: Reuters
Comments
Union corruption in Michigan…….never happens….. lol!
They still haven’t found Jimmy H.
I wonder who in each company will get nabbed. This could get ugly.
People do strange things when money is involved.
The UAW bargaining power just tanked. The union members should be allowed to leave and work free of dues. If I was Union member I would being suing the UAW for fraud and theft. hopefully a lawsuit happens these people are scum and part of the problem with US manufacturing leaving this country over the last 40 years.
Its sad. And idealized union is great for workers; but so many unions in this country are completely corrupt entities. All the Hollywood unions, for instance.
Screen actors Guild is a shitty union they have a average unemployment rate of 99%.
The CIA and the NSA have been spying in the USA. That is illegal if there is intelligence gathering in the USA it should be done by the FBI. The only reason this is allowed is because the FBI has a shitty union. Whatever union special agents of the FBI belong to, that union did not protect their jobs.
The FBI also raided the region 5 UAW offices here in St. Louis as well as some of the leadership team that call that office home. Garry Jones was located here prior to moving up to Michigan.
I thought the last contract with GM was a complete rollover on the part of the union with its dearth of product commitments compared to FCA and Ford. In beginning to see why.